From the Publisher of the NYT: A Campaign Targeting Our Staff

[ehrnst]

Attacking the free press is the action of an authoritarian. Dissent is a right.

We published an article today revealing a coordinated campaign by President Trump’s allies to attack hundreds of journalists in retaliation for coverage of the administration. This unprecedented campaign appears designed to harass and embarrass anyone affiliated with independent news organizations that have asked tough questions and brought uncomfortable truths to light.

The New York Times, which has distinguished itself with fearless and fair coverage of the president, is one of the main targets of this assault. Unable to challenge the accuracy of our reporting, political operatives have been scouring social media and other sources to find any possibly embarrassing information on anyone associated with The Times, no matter their rank, role or actual influence on our journalism. Their goal is to silence critics and undermine the public’s faith in independent journalism.

This represents an escalation of an ongoing campaign against the free press. For years the president has used terms like “fake news” and “enemy of the people” to demonize journalists and journalism. Now, the political operatives behind this campaign will argue that they are “reporting” on news organizations in the same way that news organizations report on elected officials and other public figures. They are not. They are using insinuation and exaggeration to manipulate the facts for political gain.

.....................................

But I also want to be clear: No organization is above scrutiny, including The Times. We have high standards, own our mistakes and always strive to do better. If anyone — even those acting in bad faith — brings legitimate problems to our attention, we’ll look into them and respond appropriately. It is imperative that all of us remain thoughtful about how our words and actions reflect on The Times, particularly during this period of sustained pressure and scrutiny. We all play a part in upholding our commitment to “give the news impartially, without fear or favor.”

https://www.nytco.com/press/a-campaign-targeting-our-staff/

[OnDoutside]

1. Haberman. Plus that article in October 2016. There's some fake

news.

[ehrnst]

2. Hit a nerve?

Maybe you missed this part:

But I also want to be clear: No organization is above scrutiny, including The Times. We have high standards, own our mistakes and always strive to do better. If anyone — even those acting in bad faith — brings legitimate problems to our attention, we’ll look into them and respond appropriately.

[OnDoutside]

3. No, I just think they're two faced. Run with the hare, hunt with the hounds.

[ehrnst]

4. So, what are the sources that you think are pure enough to trust?

Pulitzer Prizes aside.

Edited to add: Yes, I think that there are definitely journalists that are bad. An org the size of the NYT is going to have some. I'm not writing the NYT off because of Haberman. A politician digging up embarassing information on journalists as vengance against the org is something that we should be horrified about, not cheering.

[Me.]

5. Judith Miller Anyone?

[OnDoutside]

9. I'm not saying I don't trust the NYT, but let's not hold them up as a beacon of all powerful light.

I think the WP and the Guardian are a step ahead.

[UniteFightBack]

12. They are one of the most respected papers in the nation. To me it looks like dumps bullshit has

worked.

[ehrnst]

13. Apparently.

[OnDoutside]

17. And yet they happily traded in anti Hillary crap during 2016, and

helped Trump hugely in the FBI story saying that there was nothing to the Trump Russia collusion. They're not the worst but they should not get a free pass either

[kentuck]

6. NYTimes is at the top of their enemies list.

Anyone that criticizes Donald Trump will closely scrutinized and attacked by the fascists.

[comradebillyboy]

7. Maybe if more Times staffers followed the lead of MAGA Haberman

and carried Trump's water...

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. This sounds like basically "Breitbarting" the entire media establishment

How are we going to respond to it? Are we going to wholesale throw everybody they attack overboard at the first whiff of an issue? Or are we going to call them out for what are obvious attacks and attempts to silence the media?

[maxsolomon]

10. Realistically, we're not going to "do" anything.

This campaign is aimed at sealing the ears of AM radio/Fox News viewers like my Father, my Aunt, and my Anti-Choice cousins.

The campaign will essentially be a giant Gish Gallop. Reporters and organizations will waste their time defending themselves against the accusations, and other real news will be squeezed out.

Worse, the slander will work on Trump's rubes; they're predisposed to dismiss anything negative about Trump because of their provincial and xenophobic psychologies. They cannot bear the idea that they were duped and fell for a Con Man.

Trump will give them the ammunition they need to double down and stay asleep.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

15. So, we basically just let the Press and Trump duke it out?

Is there not a risk that this just further undermines the free press. Why should we not stand up for the free press?

[maxsolomon]

16. Go ahead and stand up for the "free press".

You won't change any minds. It's debatable whether anyone is even listening except us hardcores.

By and large, Trump voters, "independent" voters, and low-information flibberdigibbet voters don't read newspapers. They watch Fox and believe that CNN is 100% Leftist Lies (you can tell I just visited my father, can't you?).

This is about destroying the idea that facts, that Objective Truth can even exist.

[UniteFightBack]

11. The NYT is one of the papers of record and anybody freebashing them helps dump PERIOD. nt

[OnDoutside]

18. Anyone using "PERIOD" can't be taken too seriously.

[UniteFightBack]

19. And neither can someone who shares a talking point with right wingers. nt

[OnDoutside]

20. Lol ! I didn't realize that the NYT unjustly screwing Hillary over was

a RW talking point !!! Do you work for the NYT or something ?

[FakeNoose]

14. Liberals and progressives need to support the REAL news outlets

Buy or continue subscriptions to your local newspapers (the ones that are reputable), watch only TV news shows that are fair & balanced, and boycott the ones that aren't. Ignore the Faux Snooze channels and AM hate radio. Write letters to your local newspapers letting them know how you feel. Refuse to buy the products that are advertised on Faux Snooze and hate radio programs.

The New York Times and CNN can weather this, but a lot of GOOD, smaller news outlets need our support or they won't make it. Give generously when they ask for a donation or a membership fee.